Football passer training device

ABSTRACT

A training device for improving football passing technique may include a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may include a base member coupled to the belt member, a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/584,549 filed Jan. 9, 2012 and entitled “Quarterback Training Device” the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present specification generally relates to a football training device and, more specifically, to a training device for improving football passing technique.

BACKGROUND

Improper passing mechanics can be detrimental to the performance of a football quarterback or other athlete who passes a football. For example, improper mechanics may decrease the velocity of the ball and decrease the passer's accuracy. Sometimes, improper passing mechanics may place excessive stress on a passer's elbow or other body parts, potentially leading to injury.

Accordingly, a need exists for alternative devices for teaching and/or reinforcing proper football passing mechanics.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a training device for improving football passing technique may comprise a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may comprise a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.

According to another embodiment, a training device for improving football passing technique may comprise a belt member for attachment to the waist of a use and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may comprise a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.

According to yet another embodiment, a training device for improving football passing technique, may comprise a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user and a guide post attached to the belt member. The guide post may comprise a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member and the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member and the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member. When the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member may be positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically depicts a football passer training device, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a telescoping guide post of a football passer training device, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a telescoping guide post of a football passer training device, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 4 schematically depicts a user wearing a football passer training device on the user's passing-arm side wherein the user is in a pre-release/loaded position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 5 schematically depicts a user wearing a football passer training device on the user's passing-arm side wherein the user is in a release point position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein;

FIG. 6 schematically depicts a user wearing a football passer training device on the user's passing-arm side wherein the user is in a follow through position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

FIG. 7 schematically depicts a user wearing a football passer training device on the user's weak-arm side wherein the user is in a follow through position, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 generally depicts one embodiment of a football passer training device for improving football passing technique. The football passer training device generally comprises a belt member to which a guide post is affixed. The guide post generally comprises a base member, a horizontal member extending from the base member, a vertical member extending from the horizontal member, and a cross member affixed to the vertical member. The football passer training device may be worn about the waist of a user to teach and/or reinforce proper football passing technique and develop muscle memory for proper football passing technique. The football passer training device and methods for using the training device will be described in more detail herein with specific reference to the appended drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of a football passer training device 100 is schematically depicted. The football passer training device 100 generally includes a belt member 102 to which a guide post 108 is affixed. The belt member 102 is generally formed from a flexible material, such as ballistic nylon, leather, synthetic leather, or the like. In some embodiments, the belt member 102 may be padded, such as when the belt member 102 is formed from multiple plies of flexible material with padding, such as cotton batting, polyester batting, urethane foam or the like, disposed between the plies. The belt member 102 generally has a first end 104 and a second end 106. The second end 106 may be removably attached to the first end 104 such that the belt member 102 forms a closed loop, thereby facilitating attachment of the football passer training device 100 around the waist of a user. For example, the first end 104 may include a latch mechanism 105 to which a lead 107 affixed to the second end 106 may be secured. In one embodiment, the latch mechanism 105 may be a traditional belt closure such as a pin and buckle. In another embodiment, the latch mechanism 105 may be a D-ring and the lead 107 may have hook-and-loop fasteners such that, when the lead 107 is inserted into the D-ring and folded back on itself, the hook-and-loop fasteners adhere the lead 107 to itself. In general, it should be understood that any suitable belt closure mechanism may be used on the belt member 102 including, without limitation, ladder lock buckles, cam lock buckles, and the like.

Still referring to FIG. 1, the football passer training device 100 further includes a guide post 108. The guide post 108 may be formed from metal (such as aluminum, steel or the like), plastic (such as PVC, or the like), other suitable rigid materials, or combinations thereof. The guide post 108 generally comprises a base 116 which is attached to the belt member 102 with suitable fasteners. For example, in one embodiment the base 116 is attached to the belt member 102 with rivets. In another embodiment the base 116 is attached to the belt member 102 with nuts and bolts. In still another embodiment the base 116 is attached to the belt member 102 with adhesive.

The guide post 108 further comprises a horizontal member 110 which is coupled to the base 116. The horizontal member 110 projects outwardly from the base 116 and is generally oriented in the horizontal plane (i.e., in a plane defined by the x-axis and y-axis in the coordinate axes shown in FIG. 1) when the football passer training device 100 is affixed to the waist of a user.

A vertical member 112 is coupled to or integrally formed with the horizontal member 110. The vertical member 112 generally projects upward (i.e., in the direction of the z-axis of the coordinate axes shown in FIG. 1) from the end of the horizontal member 110 opposite the base 116. The vertical member 112 is generally parallel to the z-axis when the football passer training device 100 is affixed to the waist of a user.

A cross member 114 is coupled to or integrally formed with the vertical member 112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cross member 114 generally projects forward and aft of the attachment point 115 with the vertical member 112. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the cross member 114 is generally oriented in the horizontal plane when the quarterback training device is attached to the waist of a user. The cross member 114 may be positioned at a 90° angle relative to the horizontal member 110, such that the horizontal member 110 is orthogonal to the vertical member 112 and the vertical member 112 is orthogonal to the cross member 114 (i.e., the vertical member 112, the horizontal member 110, and the cross member 114 are mutually orthogonal). In one embodiment, the horizontal member 110 generally extends in the direction of the x-axis, the vertical member 112 generally extends in the direction of the z-axis, and the cross member 114 generally extends in the direction of the y-axis.

It should be understood that in various embodiments, the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and the cross member 114 may be of different sizes. The size of the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and the cross member 114 may be based at least in part on the size and/or passing ability of the user. For example, the horizontal member 110 may have a length of between about 4 in. and about 2 ft., between about 6 in. and about 1 ft., or in one embodiment the horizontal member 110 may be about 8 inches in length. The vertical member 112 may have a length of between about 6 in. and about 1 ft., between about 7 in. and about 11 in. In one embodiment the horizontal member 110 may be about 9 in. in length, and may be suitable for a user that is approximately ages 6-10. In another embodiment, the horizontal member 110 may be about 11 in. in length, and may be suitable for a user that is approximately ages 11 and up. Generally, the cross member 114 may have a length of between about 3 in. and about 1 ft. In one embodiment, the cross member 114 has a length of about 4 in. In another embodiment, the cross member 114 has a length of about 8 in. However, it should be understood that the lengths of the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and cross member 114 may be of any length desired by the user to reinforce and/or teach proper passing technique.

In the embodiments described herein the horizontal member 110, the vertical member 112, and/or the cross member 114 may be covered with a padding material, such as foam rubber or similar padding material, to cushion impacts with the guide post 108.

FIG. 2 schematically depicts a telescoping guide post 108A according to one embodiment described herein. The length of the horizontal member 110 may be adjustable with respect to the base 116. Alternatively and/or additionally, the length of the vertical member 112 may be adjustable with respect to the horizontal member 110. For example, in one embodiment, the horizontal member 110 comprises a first telescoping member 110A which is slidably engaged with a second telescoping member 110B. The first telescoping member 110A may be extended from and retracted into the second telescoping member 110B and secured with a thumb screw 110C.

Similarly, the vertical member 112 comprises a first telescoping member 112A which is slidably engaged with a second telescoping member 112B. The first telescoping member 112A may be extended from and retracted into the second telescoping member 112B and secured with a thumb screw 112C. In this embodiment, the second telescoping member 112B of the vertical member 112 is secured to the first telescoping member 110A with an elbow 113.

FIG. 3 schematically depicts a telescoping guide post 108B according to one embodiment described herein. The horizontal member 110 may comprise a first telescoping member 110A which is slidably engaged with a second telescoping member 110B. The first telescoping member 110A may be extended from and retracted into the second telescoping member 110B and secured with a jam nut 110D.

Similarly, the vertical member 112 comprises a first telescoping member 112A which is slidably engaged with a second telescoping member 112B. The first telescoping member 112A may be extended from and retracted into the second telescoping member 112B and secured with a jam nut 112D. In this embodiment, the second telescoping member 112B of the vertical member 112 is secured to the first telescoping member 110A with an elbow 113.

In another embodiment, the horizontal member 110, vertical member 112, and/or the cross member 114 may be disassembled and replacement parts of varying lengths may be inserted, thus changing the size and/or length of the guide post 108 to fit a given user properly.

The methods of using the quarterback training device will now be described with specific reference to FIGS. 4-7. Referring to FIG. 4, in one embodiment, the football passer training device 100 is secured around the waist of the user 200 and oriented such that the guide post 108 is positioned on the passing-arm side of the user 200 (i.e., on the right side for a right-handed passer or on the left side for a left-handed passer). The base of the guide post 108 should be positioned directly under the user 200's passing-arm side axilla.

The user 200 starts with the football at the carriage position, wherein the football is held near the sternum of the user 200. The user 200 then takes the football back from the carriage position to a prerelease/loaded position as shown in FIG. 4, wherein the football is held near the user 200 slightly behind the head of the user 200 in a position held prior to the football's movement towards the projected target of the football. However, different users may have slight variations in the prelease position.

While transitioning from the carriage position to the pre-release/loaded position, the user 200 must move his throwing arm and the football through the space between the guide post 108 of the football passer training device 100 and the side of the user's body, such that the user's arm and the football remain close to the user's body. Specifically, it is desirable for a user 200 to stay compact when throwing a football by not allowing their arms and/or elbows to move outside the framework of the body. The guide post 108 forces the user 200 to remain compact in his movement from carriage position to prerelease/loaded position. If the user 200 does not remain compact during this takeaway motion, the user's arm and/or the football will contact the guide post 108, thereby interfering with the takeaway motion and providing the user 200 with immediate feedback that he is not using correct form and that he is too wide in his takeaway and needs to restart the takeaway.

FIG. 5 depicts a user 200 at the throwing release point. When the user 200 has the football at the release point, the user's elbow should be at or above shoulder height, and above the cross member 114 of the guide post 108. As the user 200 begins to move his elbow forward from the prerelease/loaded position to deliver the football at the release point, the guide post 108 acts as a guide for the movement of the user 200. More specifically, during the delivery, if the user 200 drops his elbow below the cross member 114, he will contact parts of the guide post 108 with his arm and/or the football which, in turn, interferes with his delivery of the football, thereby providing the user 200 with immediate feedback that he is not using correct form and that the process of delivery needs to be altered.

FIG. 6 depicts a user 200 in a follow through position, wherein the user 200 has released the ball and has “followed through” in his passing motion with his passing arm. Between the throwing release point depicted in FIG. 5 and the follow through position depicted in FIG. 6, the user 200 must keep his passing arm close to his body, such that he does not make contact with any part of the guide post 108. If the user 200 makes contact with the guide post 108, he is corrected and can properly adjust his passing technique.

Referring now to FIG. 7, in another embodiment, the football passer training device 100 may be secured to the user 200 such that the guide post 108 is positioned on the user's non-passing side, such as under the non-passing arm side axilla of the user. With the guide post 108 in this orientation, the football passer training device 100 may be utilized to reinforce proper follow through mechanics. Specifically, during follow through, the user's arms and hands should remain between the user's body and the guide post 108 of the football passer training device 100.

The training device may be used on a consistent schedule, such as, for example, 10 minutes per day for two weeks, followed by use twice a week thereafter. The training device herein may be suitable for persons of all ages who wish to improve football throwing mechanics.

The football passer training device may also be used in conjunction with video analysis to further teach and/or reinforce proper throwing mechanics. Specifically, video footage of the user using the football passer training device may be taken and, following the training session, the video footage may be analyzed by a training staff and/or the user as a training tool. In particular, the positioning of the user's arm relative to the guide post of the football passer training device may be used as a visual aid to “coach” the user through proper throwing mechanics and illustrate both proficiencies and deficiencies in different aspects of the user's takeaway, delivery, and follow through.

It should now be understood that the football passer training device of the present disclosure may be used to reinforce proper throwing mechanics by providing immediate feedback to the user when improper technique is used. Moreover, repetitive use of the football passer training device facilitates the development of muscle memory for proper throwing mechanics, thereby improving a user's throwing mechanics.

It is noted that the terms “substantially” and “about” may be utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. These terms are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue.

While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A training device for improving football passing technique, the training device comprising: a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user; and a guide post attached to the belt member, the guide post comprising: a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member; wherein when the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member is positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
 2. The training device of claim 1, wherein the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member are mutually orthogonal.
 3. The training device of claim 1, further comprising a cushioning material positioned around at least one of the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member.
 4. The training device of claim 1, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member.
 5. The training device of claim 4, wherein the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member.
 6. The training device of claim 4, wherein the length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable by replacing the substantially horizontal member with a replacement substantially horizontal member that has a different length.
 7. The training device of claim 1, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member.
 8. The training device of claim 7, wherein the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member.
 9. The training device of claim 7, wherein the length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable by replacing the substantially vertical member with a replacement substantially vertical member that has a different length.
 10. A training device for improving football passing technique, the training device comprising: a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user; and a guide post attached to the belt member, the guide post comprising: a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member; wherein when the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member is positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
 11. The training device of claim 10, wherein the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member are mutually orthogonal.
 12. The training device of claim 10, further comprising a cushioning material positioned around at least one of the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member.
 13. The training device of claim 10, wherein the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member.
 14. The training device of claim 10, wherein the length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable by replacing the substantially horizontal member with a replacement substantially horizontal member that has a different length.
 15. The training device of claim 10, wherein the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member.
 16. The training device of claim 10, wherein the length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable by replacing the substantially vertical member with a replacement substantially vertical member that has a different length.
 17. A training device for improving football passing technique, the training device comprising: a belt member for attachment to the waist of a user; and a guide post attached to the belt member, the guide post comprising: a base member coupled to the belt member; a substantially horizontal member coupled to the base member and projecting outward from the belt member, wherein a length of the substantially horizontal member is adjustable relative to the base member and the substantially horizontal member comprises a first horizontal telescoping member slidably engaged with a second horizontal telescoping member such that the first horizontal telescoping member is extendable and retractable relative to the second horizontal telescoping member; a substantially vertical member coupled to the substantially horizontal member, the substantially vertical member projecting upward from the substantially horizontal member, wherein a length of the substantially vertical member is adjustable relative to the substantially horizontal member and the substantially vertical member comprises a first vertical telescoping member slidably engaged with a second vertical telescoping member such that the first vertical telescoping member may be extended from and retracted relative to the second vertical telescoping member; and a cross member coupled to the substantially vertical member and projecting forward and backward from an attachment point of the cross member with the substantially vertical member; wherein when the training device is positioned around the waist of the user, the substantially horizontal member is positioned below the passing-arm side axilla of the user.
 18. The training device of claim 17, wherein the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member are mutually orthogonal.
 19. The training device of claim 17, further comprising a cushioning material positioned around at least one of the substantially vertical member, the substantially horizontal member, and the cross member. 